BET Networks Chair & CEO Debra Lee is still talking about her mission to make Black Entertainment Television more uplifting and less offensive to, uh, I dunno, say, BLACK PEOPLE!
Lee tells Forbes that it’s time to redefine the network’s programming:
Forbes: The audience for BET, a Viacom unit, is at an all-time high, thanks to more original programming. BET’s The Game premiere was cable TV’s highest-ranking sitcom, with 7.7 million viewers. Why did you decide to invest in original shows?
Debra Lee:When I became CEO I had to define my vision for the company. How do we make our brand distinct and compete with other networks? I realized it was time to focus on original programming. BET was mature enough. Our new brand strategy: We respect, reflect and elevate our audience. They want to be entertained, but they also want to be inspired.
Forbes: You’ve been criticized for displaying derogatory images of minorities, especially black women, and even had picketers protesting at your house several years ago. How exactly are you using programming to ‘elevate’ your audience?
Lee:For awhile we went too hard-edge. We had a lot of criticism when we were primarily airing music videos, which a lot of people felt were derogatory towards women. We heard that loud and clear. We started BET Honors to shine a light on people doing great things in the community and Black Girls Rock!, which is basically an all-women show. Our programming filter now is: It has to have a message, can’t be derogatory and has to show positive images. That doesn’t mean that it’s unreal or fake. We’re not going to be the PBS of black television. We still have to get ratings.
What’s wrong with a little PBS’ing? Lee went on to talk about the new, original programming coming to BET this Fall. You can read the rest of her interview here. It’ll be interesting to see just how BET can cater to a more “refined” audience, yet still target it’s key demographic of skinny jean wearing kids who like to Dougie. Is it even possible to program for both? That’ll be the challenge. Stay tuned…
Posted by Witch Hazel | Posted in Brew books, common | Posted on 16-08-2011
Rapper, actor and fine arse man (is that a job title?) Common is releasing a book next month. In “One Day It’ll All Make Sense,” he tells of his growing up (as Lonnie Rashid Lynn, Jr.) on the South Side of Chicago and how he almost quit rapping after his first album went aluminum foil on the charts. Common also gives an inside look at the glitz and glam of the industry and his rise to stardom. But he also gets real: talking about his controversial visit to the White House and how he balances fame and fatherhood. The chapters begin with letters to special people in Common’s life, like YOU, the reader; his daughter; Kanye West and former flame Erykah Badu.
“One Day It’ll All Make Sense” drops (do books drop?) on September 13th. You can pre-order it right here. I do hope it has some pictures though… I mean, I like to be visual and all. *ahem*
It’s hard to believe but we’re quickly approaching 10 years since Aaliyah’s death on August 25, 2001. To mark the singer’s life and legacy, BET is planning a special tribute. The show, “Aaliyah: One In A Million,” will feature thoughts and memories from Missy Elliott, Timbaland, Patti Labelle and more. It’s not clear if there will be any special performances or just reflections about her short life. The special airs Thursday, August 25 and 8 pm (ET) on BET. So, will you watch?
Tavis Smiley is pissed that he hasn’t been invited to the White House. I’d like to invite Mr. Smiley to have a nice, comfy saddddown! On the floor. The couch. The ottoman. The chaise lounge. In a hammock. A futon. On the beach. A bar stool. Some place without internet access, a microphone or the Twitter.
Smiley has been coming for President Obama since then candidate Obama failed to show for one of his black people need to meet and talk about what they need to do but don’t actually do anything afterwards State of Black America town halls. Since then, Smiley has name-checked Obama so much that it caused his former radio boss, Tom Joyner, to publicly take a stand against him. Even Steve Harvey went in on Tavis this week, questioning his motives and calling him –and Dr. Cornel West– Uncle Toms. And, still, this guy won’t let up.
During a Q&A segment on C-SPAN’s Washington Journal this morning, Smiley said:
“He [Obama] has not at this point come on my TV or radio programs one time since he’s been in this White House. This is the first president in my professional career that hasn’t invited me to the White House for anything. I’ve not been invited to the White House for all the things… all the events they do… the media type events.”
Now, I’m not saying journalists, authors, “experts” and thinkers shouldn’t hold our politicians’ feet to the fire and keep them accountable. They should. That’s a central tenet of our democracy. Tavis seems to think (without going so far as to actually say it) that the President and his “people” give other journalists access but are scared to put Obama and Smiley in a room together, since Tavis would ask presumably ‘tougher’ questions. I think it’s great that Tavis has the nads to keep the black community’s needs front and center in everything he does. But daaaamn son, really? This feels waaay too personal now. Is he mad he’s never been invited for tea in the Blue Room? Or is he upset that the Obama White House is ignoring him like he’s a “non-MF’n factor?” How long can one person be in their feelings?
VH1 earned its best ratings in more than two years, thanks to the antics of the drink-tossing Basketball Wives and the Queen Latifah-produced Single Ladies. The season three finale of Basketball Wives pulled in 4.6 million viewers, making it the network’s highest-rated show since May 2009. The first season finale of Single Ladies drew 3.3 million viewers.
Meanwhile, the innawebs are buzzing that Stacey Dash is out at Single Ladies. VH1 isn’t directly commenting on the rumor (only adding fuel to the talk), they’ll only say: “At this time, no casting decisions have been made for the second season of Single Ladies.” Remember that there was once a reported beef between Dash and co-star LisaRaye.
Tyrese is jumping back into music after taking a detour to make movies and drop knowledge nuggets on Twitter. He just shot the video for his new song, “I Gotta Chick,” which, quite frankly is just kinda meh to me. I sorta expected more “Sweet Lady” and less “I gotta chick… I f*cks wit’ huh.” But whatever… who am I to criticize that man’s musical growth? o_O
Some of his fans feel the problem with the new video is that it’s relatively chocolate-less, so they hopped on Twitter to criticize the lack of sistas in the clip. Taste The Brew to see the making of the video
Thank God for the return of scripted TV and sketch comedy to save us from the sinking ship of reality TV. This Sunday, comedian Affion Crockett debuts his show, “In The Flow,” on FOX. In this promo clip, Crockett is spoofing everyone from Jay-Z to Lil Wayne and Kanye West (sagging skinny jeans and all).
Here’s another peek at the show…
“In The Flow” –which, BTW, is executive produced by Jamie Foxx– airs this Sunday at 9 pm (ET) on FOX. Will you watch?
Posted by Elphaba Of The Brew | Posted in Andy Allo, Brew beauty | Posted on 09-08-2011
Andy Allo (@andyallo) is our latest Brew Beauty, the star on the rise sings, writes, motells (side-eye and a nod to Arrah Kelly), acts and produces. The Cameroonian born, LA Based artist is known for her haunting throaty vocals and natural beauty. She has appeared in shows such as Attack of The Show! and The Game (Remember Tee-Tee’s Girlfriend who fell for the Malik Wright hot tub okeydoke?)
Working on a mixtape and currently touring as part of the New Power Generation, the uber-talented singer, is currently unsigned- but I don’t think that will last for long. Once you go Prince, well you at the very least get to purify yourself in the waters of Lake Minnetonka.
There’s some new blood on the Forbes list of Hip Hop’s top earners. Of course, the regulars are there (your Jay-Zs and your Diddys), but quite a few newcomers made the list… some good and some you probably shake your head at whenever you see them.
Among the new artists to make the list: Wiz Khalifa, B.o.B. (who tied with T-Pain for the last spot), Pitbull and Nicki Minaj, who pulled in $6.5 million in the last year. The Barbie is the first female rapper to ever make the list. Wait: My Kang Queen Latifah doesn’t count? It’s a shame what a lady has to “sell” to make this list *shrug*
1. Jay-Z: $37 million
2. Diddy: $35 million
3. Kanye West: $16 million
4. Lil Wayne: $15 million
4. Birdman: $15 million
6. Dr. Dre: $14 million
6. Eminem: $14 million
6. Snoop Dogg: $14 million
9. Akon: $13 million
10. Ludacris: $12 million
11. Wiz Khalifa: $11 million
11. Drake: $11 million
13. Pharrell Williams: $10 million
14. Timbaland: $7 million
15. Swizz Beatz: $6.5 million
15. Nicki Minaj: $6.5 million
17. Rick Ross: $6 million
17. 50 Cent: $6 million
17. Pitbull: $6 million
20. T-Pain: $5 million
20. B.o.B: $5 million
Jump over to Forbes to find out just how these rappers make their money.
The drug culture and “Scarface” mentality is often rapped about, criticized and even praised in some circles of Hip Hop, but is there a real link between drugs and the rap game? VH1 will explore that next month in a new special called “Planet Rock: The Story of Hip Hop and the Crack Generation.” The 2-hour special will look at the development of crack cocaine in the black community. It features commentary from Snoop and members of the Wu Tang Clan and Cypress Hill. Ice-T executive produced and narrates the documentary.
“Planet Rock” airs September 18th at 10 pm (ET) on VH1. So, will you watch?
Remind this Witch not to EVA, EVA, EVA, EVA criticize someone’s DJ set again!
I hit up The National Association of Black Journalists Convention (#nabj11) in Philadelphia over the weekend. For those who don’t know, it’s a huge conference for media professionals. They attend take off their wedding rings seminars, network and party. So on my last night, I purchased a ticket to see @Questlove spin at the “Philly Love” party. I was geeked since I have seen The Roots at least 5 times and I don’t have a ‘n*gg* ear‘ like Chris Rock, so I was expecting a good and eclectic set. Wrong. Quest stayed on what I call ‘house cleaning’ music WAY too long. People were leaving and complaining. So being the smart arse that I usually am I tweeted my thoughts:
Big mistake! Not only did Questo get snippy, but his army of conscious, coffee-shop, thesaurus carrying fans came after this Witch, and hard. I got called a ‘hoe’…and my existence on earth was questioned, all because I didn’t bow at the Twitter alter. Lesson here? Surrender and like it! The bougie conference set does not go against the grain. So what if we like Jigga, Biggie and Boot Camp Clik. So what if we love House and Club music. Wanting to hear hot songs means I am not ‘eclectic’ enough. Or even worse, that I’m a ‘Top 40′ lover. Oh, and don’t even complain about spending $20.00 (really $350.00 when you factor in all the times I’ve paid to see him appear with The Roots) because that is tip money these days for folk. Remember, bourgeois conference goers fly above the common set. Bad Witch! *bows head and slaps hands*
To see my roast on Twitter follow us at @lawitchesbrew!
Jon Stewart roasts presidential wannabe Michele Bachmann’s husband (the guy who claims he can convert the gays to straight) – Prune Juice Media
Ron Artest Metta World Peace is the latest star to have peen pics hit the web – Tabloid Prodigy
Don’t forget to check out our fellow bloggers under the Brewshyt tab…there’s always good stuff there too!
Image via WMB Magazine We love your banter on our Facebook page, lawd knows we do…but now you can drop a comment ON the blog posts using your Facebook login. Try it below, you might like it.
Want more Witches’ Brew? Like us | Follow us | Get fed | Shop the store
BET Networks Chair & CEO Debra Lee is still talking about her mission to make Black Entertainment Television more uplifting and less offensive to, uh, I dunno, say, BLACK PEOPLE!
Like us | 
Follow us | 
Get fed | 
Shop the store
It’s hard to believe but we’re quickly approaching 10 years since Aaliyah’s death on August 25, 2001. To mark the singer’s life and legacy, BET is planning a special tribute. The show, “Aaliyah: One In A Million,” will feature thoughts and memories from Missy Elliott, Timbaland, Patti Labelle and more. It’s not clear if there will be any special performances or just reflections about her short life. The special airs Thursday, August 25 and 8 pm (ET) on BET. So, will you watch?
Andy Allo (@andyallo) is our latest Brew Beauty, the star on the rise sings, writes, motells (side-eye and a nod to Arrah Kelly), acts and produces. The Cameroonian born, LA Based artist is known for her haunting throaty vocals and natural beauty. She has appeared in shows such as Attack of The Show! and The Game (Remember Tee-Tee’s Girlfriend who fell for the Malik Wright hot tub okeydoke?) 
There’s some new blood on the Forbes list of Hip Hop’s top earners. Of course, the regulars are there (your Jay-Zs and your Diddys), but quite a few newcomers made the list… some good and some you probably shake your head at whenever you see them.
The drug culture and “
Favorite
Retweet
Reply
Magazine puts Kim Kardashian’s assets in 3D – 
